To treat with or apply a substance containing cantharidin, especially for medical purposes.
From 'cantharis' (blister beetle) plus the suffix '-ate,' which forms verbs meaning 'to cause to become' or 'to treat with.' Developed in medical practice terminology.
In the 1800s, doctors would cantharidate skin to intentionally create large blisters, believing the process would draw out 'corrupt humors' and cure internal diseases—we now know this was misguided but shows how creative (and risky) early medicine was!
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